The days are long, but the years fly by.  Before I get ahead of myself, we still have an exciting year-end ahead of us.  The New Orleans Board would like to thank each and every one of you for your participation; the attendance at the meetings has been tremendous.  Thank you to all who have hosted or donated your product and services, we truly could not put things together without you. Most times I find myself wishing the networking cocktail hour would go just a little bit longer, connecting with you is the best part of being a member of this association.

July was as exciting as it was hot!  We had several well-deserved nominees up for National Awards and even a few winners recognized at the 2016 Experience conference.  Congratulations to Valerie Landry with Creole Cuisine who was nominated for Catered Event of the Year-Off Premise $50,000.00 and winners Katie McNulty with Morton’s for Chapter Fundraising Event of the Year Less Than 100 Members, Mike Raborn with Sodexo for Catered Event of the Year-Off Premise $50,000.00, and Tonya Babineaux with Olive Blue Catering for Catered Event of the Year Over $100,000. I encourage all of you to submit entries next year for your fabulous events; we know your talents are superior! What better way to convince your bosses to send you to Houston for the 2017 Experience than if you are up for an award.

Also, in July, our Programs Chair Emily Reimer spear-headed a new partnership with Event Pros Take Action.  EPTA is a charitable organization that encourages hospitality industry professionals to give back to those in need.  Their endeavors focus on relief efforts for communities that have experienced a natural disaster and are in the process of recovering from substantial loss and rebuilding communities.  Thank you to all who endured the heat and humidity to strap on a hard hat and build a home for the family in need; also, thank you to those who donated product for their events. We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with ETPA and gaining even greater involvement next year.

One thing NACE is consistently passionate about is giving back to our community.  Our 2016 reoccurring theme has been working with or working for fellow hospitality professionals.  For our upcoming annual fundraiser, we have joined forces with Louisiana Hospitality Foundation to host an event with the mission to raise funds that will help Louisiana hospitality industry professionals in times of financial crisis, as well as provide support for the education, health, and social welfare of children in the community.  The event will take place on Thursday, September 15th at Marche’.  Not only will it be a night to remember, you will have a direct impact in aiding our fellow industry family.  Tickets are limited, so snag your early bird price now for Pasaporte A Havana.  As the planning of this event is in full swing, volunteers are needed.  If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact our Fundraising Chair Katie McNulty: mtnocsm@ldry.com.

Speaking on behalf of our hard-working board representatives, we are enthusiastic about spending the rest of the year with you and are appreciative for your continued generosity, loyalty and involvement!

–Chloe T. Henderson